Changing a controlling device interface based on device orientation

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a method for changing a graphical user interface is provided. The method may include identifying one or more devices. The method may include determining product information associated with the one or more devices, whereby the product information includes at least one of a type, a model number, and a brand. The method may include determining one or more applications associated with the one or more devices based on the product information, whereby the one or more applications allow for operation of the one or more devices. The method may include retrieving the one or more applications. The method may include determining that the computer is oriented toward a first device of the one or more devices. The method may include displaying a first graphical user interface corresponding to a first application of the one or more applications that allows for operation of the first device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of computing, andmore particularly to device controls.

BACKGROUND

A smart device is an electronic device that may be capable of connectingto the internet or communicating with other devices across a network.Networks connecting smart devices may be wired or wireless, such asthrough Bluetooth or WiFi. Smart devices may be categorized as mobilesmart devices, such as smartphones and tablets, and non-mobile smartdevices, such as digital video recorders, Blu-Ray disc players, digitalversatile disc (DVD) players, thermostats and home theater systems.Devices, including smart devices, may be capable of downloading andinstalling applications across a network for use on the device or forinteracting with other devices.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method for changing a graphical userinterface is provided. The method may include identifying one or moredevices. The method may also include determining product informationassociated with the one or more devices, whereby the product informationincludes at least one of a type, a model number, and a brand. The methodmay further include determining one or more applications associated withthe one or more devices based on the product information, whereby theone or more applications allow for operation of the one or more devices.The method may also include retrieving the one or more applications. Themethod may further include determining that the computer is orientedtoward a first device of the one or more devices. The method may alsoinclude displaying a first graphical user interface corresponding to afirst application of the one or more applications that allows foroperation of the first device.

According to another embodiment, a computer system for changing agraphical user interface is provided. The computer system may includeone or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one ormore computer-readable tangible storage medium, and program instructionsstored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium forexecution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least oneof the one or more memories, wherein the computer system is capable ofperforming a method. The method may include identifying one or moredevices. The method may also include determining product informationassociated with the one or more devices, whereby the product informationincludes at least one of a type, a model number, and a brand. The methodmay further include determining one or more applications associated withthe one or more devices based on the product information, whereby theone or more applications allow for operation of the one or more devices.The method may also include retrieving the one or more applications. Themethod may further include determining that the computer is orientedtoward a first device of the one or more devices. The method may alsoinclude displaying a first graphical user interface corresponding to afirst application of the one or more applications that allows foroperation of the first device.

According to yet another embodiment, a computer program product forchanging a graphical user interface is provided. The computer programproduct may include one or more computer-readable tangible storagemedium and program instructions stored on at least one of the one ormore tangible storage medium, the program instructions executable by aprocessor. The computer program product may include program instructionsto identify one or more devices. The computer program product may alsoinclude program instructions to determine product information associatedwith the one or more devices, whereby the product information includesat least one of a type, a model number, and a brand. The computerprogram product may further include program instructions to determineone or more applications associated with the one or more devices basedon the product information, whereby the one or more applications allowfor operation of the one or more devices. The computer program productmay also include program instructions to retrieve the one or moreapplications. The computer program product may further include programinstructions to determine that the computer is oriented toward a firstdevice of the one or more devices. The computer program product may alsoinclude program instructions to display a first graphical user interfacecorresponding to a first application of the one or more applicationsthat allows for operation of the first device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary architecture for a devicecontroller system, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting the operational steps of the devicecontroller system of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to controlling smartdevices through a network.

When purchased, devices, including smart devices, may be packaged with aremote control device. A remote control may be any peripheral used toremotely operate the device to which it is paired. In addition to aphysical remote control, many devices may be operated through a remotecontrol interface on a mobile smart device, or mobile device, bydownloading and installing a specialized application, or app. Forexample, a company that produces a television may also offer adownloadable application for mobile smart devices that allow thetelevision to be controlled using the smart mobile device. When a useropens the downloaded app on the mobile smart device, the user may bepresented with a graphical user interface that resembles the buttons ona physical control device.

An increasing number of devices are available in the market place thatallow remote control through a graphical user interface on a mobilesmart device. Many devices may only be controlled by a specific mobileapplication that requires user download and installation onto a mobilesmart device. For example, a user may live in a house where the windows,doors, and lights may be controlled through a single application.Additionally, the user may own a television, a Blu-Ray player, and athermostat that may each be remotely operated by a separately downloadedand installed application on a mobile device. User navigation betweenindividually installed remote control applications may be burdensome onthe user due to numerous such applications present on a mobile device.As such, it may be advantageous, among other things, to implement asystem that changes a displayed remote control application on a mobilesmart device based on the orientation of the mobile smart device inrelation to the controllable device.

According to one embodiment, a graphical user interface displaying aremote control application on a mobile smart device and used to operatea controllable device may be changed based on the orientation of themobile smart device in relation to the controllable device. By detectingcontrollable devices and the orientation of the mobile device, anapplication displaying controls for a controllable device on a mobilesmart device may automatically change to controls for anothercontrollable device when the mobile smart device is oriented towards theother controllable device for which an application is installed on themobile smart device. For example, if a television and a thermostat aretwo controllable devices located within a room and a smartphone has aremote control application installed for each controllable device, thesmartphone will display a graphical user interface for the televisionremote control application when the smartphone is oriented toward thetelevision. When the smartphone is oriented toward the thermostat, thegraphical user interface for the television remote control applicationwill change to the graphical user interface for the thermostat remotecontrol application. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention mayhave the capacity to improve the technical field of remotely controllingdevices by implementing software that automatically changes a displayedgraphical user interface according to the orientation of a mobile devicein relation to a controllable device.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary architecture for a devicecontroller system, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The device controller system 100 may include a controllingsmart device 110 and a controllable device 120 interconnected over anetwork 130. Generally, the device controller system 100 may include aplurality of controlling smart devices 110 and controllable devices 120,in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

In various embodiments of the invention, a controlling smart device 110may be, for example, a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbookcomputer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a smartphone, or any type of computing device capableof running a program, accessing a network, connecting with controllablesmart device 120, and displaying a graphical user interface 112.

Controllable device 120 may be a laptop computer, netbook computer,personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmableelectronic device capable of communicating with controlling smart device110 via network 130, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.Controllable device 120 may include internal and external hardwarecomponents, as depicted and described in further detail below withreference to FIG. 3. Controllable device 120 may also operate in a cloudcomputing service model, such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platformas a Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Controllabledevice 120 may also be located in a cloud computing deployment model,such as a private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, or hybrid cloud.Generally, device controller system 100 may include a plurality ofcontrollable devices 120A and 120B. For example, device controllersystem 100 may include a television, a Blu-Ray player, and a thermostat.

Controlling smart device 110 may communicate with controllable device120 via communication network 130. In the example embodiment,controlling device 110 includes device remote control app 114, graphicaluser interface 112, interface changing program 116, and database 118.Communication network 130 may include various types of communicationnetworks, such as a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), atelecommunication network, a wireless network, a public switched networkand/or a satellite network, and may include connections, such as wire,wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables. In general,communication network 130 can be any combination of connections andprotocols that will support communications between controlling smartdevice 110 and controllable device 120, in accordance with embodimentsof the invention.

Device remote control app 114 may be an application downloaded andinstalled to controlling smart device 110. Device remote control app 114may allow controlling smart device 110 to control controllable device120 by establishing a connection via network 130. Device remote controlapp 114 may display a plurality of virtualized buttons on graphical userinterface 112 that resemble a physical remote control unit forcontrollable device 120. Generally, controlling smart device 110 mayinclude a plurality of device remote control apps 114A and 114B. Forexample, controlling smart device 110 may include a device remotecontrol app for operating a television and a separate device remotecontrol app for operating a Blu-Ray player.

Interface changing program 116 may be a software application oncontrolling smart device 110 that allows a user to change the display ofgraphical user interface 112 depending on the orientation of controllingsmart device 110. For example, when oriented appropriately, interfacechanging program 116 will display graphical user interface 112A fordevice remote control app 114A on controlling smart device 110. Whencontrolling smart device 110 is oriented differently, interface changingprogram 116 may change the displayed graphical user interface fromgraphical user interface 112A to graphical user interface 112B fordevice remote control app 114B.

Database 118 may be a repository for storing product informationrelating to a variety of controllable devices 120. Controllable deviceproduct information retained within database 118 may include brand,model, and product type information. Additionally, database 118 mayinclude an image database capable of executing an image recognitionsearch for identification of controllable devices 120 by interfacechanging program 116.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart 200 of the operational stepscarried out by the device controller system 100 of FIG. 1 is depicted,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In theexample embodiment, when first enabling interface changing program 116,a user may be prompted to designate a pointing side of controlling smartdevice 110 (step 202). When first implementing interface changingprogram 116, the user may be prompted to designate a side, or plane, ofcontrolling smart device 110 as the pointing side, or orientation side.For example, when the user first implements interface changing program116, interface changing program 116 may present a three-dimensionalrendering of controlling smart device 110 on graphical user interface112. The user may manipulate the three-dimensional rendering ofcontrolling smart device 110 in order to select a side of the device ora plane to use as the pointing side of controlling smart device 110. Thepointing side of controlling smart device 110 may be the portion ofcontrolling smart device 110 that the user orients towards controllabledevice 120. For example, if a user is utilizing a smartphone as acontrolling device and wishes to point the back plate of the smartphonetowards a controllable device 120A, 120B to change interfaces when usinginterface changing program 116, the user will designate the back plateof the smartphone as the pointing side. Additionally, the user may alsodesignate the top plate of the controlling smart device 110 as thepointing side so as to allow the user to orient the controlling smartdevice 110 towards a controllable device 114 in a similar fashion as auser would orient a typical remote control towards a television.

Interface changing program 116 may then detect controllable deviceswithin communication range of the controlling smart device (step 204).In one embodiment of the present invention, interface changing program116 may detect controllable devices 120 using image recognitiontechnology. Image recognition technology may refer to analyzing apicture or a video to determine particular aspects of the picture orvideo, such as room dimensions and the location or identity of specificitems. A user may initiate image recognition of each nearby controllabledevices 120 by capturing one or more pictures and/or videos of the roomin which the user is located. Interface changing program 116 may analyzethe one or more pictures and/or videos to determine room dimensions andpositional information, such as the location of each controllable device120, based on the orientation of each device in the one or more picturesand/or videos.

In order to determine the device remote control app 114 corresponding toeach controllable device 120, interface changing program 116 may need todetermine product information for each controllable device 120.Interface changing program 116 may determine product information foreach controllable device 120 by analyzing the one or more picturesand/or videos used to locate each controllable device 120 within theroom. Using image recognition, interface changing program 116 may beable to determine the type, brand, and model of each controllable device120 by accessing a locally stored database of common controllabledevices, such as database 118, or conducting a query through a searchengine. For example, interface changing program 116 may obtain the type,brand, and model of a television by locating product information withindatabase 118 using image recognition of the television. Additionally,interface changing program 116 may use optical character recognition todetermine product identification information. For example, interfacechanging program 116 may receive a user capture picture of a television.Using optical character recognition, interface changing program 116 maydetermine a product barcode or product serial number displayed withinthe user captured picture. Interface changing program 116 may thensearch database 118 to determine the product identification informationnecessary to locate device remote control app 114. As previouslymentioned, database 118 may be a repository for storing productinformation relating to a variety of controllable devices 120.Additionally, controlling smart device 110 may determine the productinformation for each controllable device 120 through wirelesscommunication, such as Bluetooth or WiFi, with each controllable device120. Establishing a connection between controlling smart device 110 andeach controllable device 120 may allow interface changing program 116receive transmitted product information from each controllable device120. Once each controllable device 120 is identified and located,interface changing program 116 may store the identity and location ofeach controllable device 120 for future use.

Interface changing program 116 may use the product information toidentify and, if not already installed, retrieve the remote control app114 for each controllable device 120. Interface changing program 116 mayretrieve the remote control app 114 for each controllable device 120 notalready downloaded and installed on controlling smart device 110 bysearching a repository, such as database 118, or an application store,such as the Apple® (Apple and all Apple-based trademarks and logos aretrademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. and/or its affiliates)App Store or the Google® (Google and all Google-based trademarks andlogos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc. and/or itsaffiliates) Play Store.

Interface changing program 116 then monitors the orientation of thecontrolling smart device 110 using triangulation to detect the directionin which the pointing side of the controlling smart device is orientedin relation to the nearby controllable devices (step 206). Triangulationmay refer to a process of determining the location of an unknown pointby measuring angles to the unknown point from other known points.Triangulation may be implemented when detecting each nearby controllabledevice 120 by calculating the position of controlling smart device 110in relation to each controllable device 120 within range of controllingsmart device 110. By triangulating one or more points on controllingsmart device 110, interface changing program 116 may be capable ofdetermining the direction in which controlling smart device 110 isoriented in relation to each controllable device 120 as well as thelocation of controllable devices 120. For example, using triangulation,interface changing program 116 may locate the position of and pointingdirection of a controlling smart device 110 located in a room containinga television, a Blu-Ray player, and a thermostat. Interface changingprogram 116 may continually monitor the orientation of controlling smartdevice 110 to determine when the user has pointed controlling smartdevice 110 at a controllable device 120.

If interface changing program 116 determines the designated pointingside of controlling smart device 110 does not face a controllable device(step 208, “NO” branch), then interface changing program 116 continuesto monitor the orientation of controlling smart device 110 (step 206).

If interface changing program 116 determines the designated pointingside of controlling smart device 110 does face a controllable device(step 208, “YES” branch), then interface changing program 116 displaysgraphical user interface 112 for device remote control app 114corresponding to controllable device 120 towards which the pointing sideof controlling smart device 110 is oriented (step 210). When the userorients the pointing side of controlling smart device 110 towardscontrollable device 120, interface changing program 116 may determinethe user wishes to operate the controls for controllable device 120.Therefore, interface changing program 116 may display graphical userinterface 112 for the device remote control app 114 that corresponds tocontrollable device 120. For example, if interface changing program 116is monitoring the orientation of controlling smart device 110 in a roomwhere interface changing program 116 has detected a television and aBlu-Ray player as controllable devices 120, interface changing program116 may run the device remote control app 114 for the television whenthe user orients the designated pointing side of controlling smartdevice 110 towards the television. When displaying the graphical userinterface 112 of a device remote control app 114 for a controllabledevice 120, interface changing program 116 may indicate adjacent deviceson the display screen of the controlling smart device 110. For example,if controlling smart device 110 from the previous example displaysgraphical user interface 112 for device remote control app 114corresponding to the television and the Blu-Ray player is physicallylocated directly below the television, interface changing program 116will display an indicator, such as an arrow adjacent to the text“Blu-Ray”, on the display screen for controlling smart device 110 alongthe border of graphical user interface 112. Interface changing program116 may display an indicator on the display screen for controlling smartdevice 110 when a controllable device 120 is within a preconfiguredthreshold distance of controlling smart device 110. For example, if auser preconfigures the threshold distance as twenty feet, interfacechanging program 110 may display an indicator for all controllable smartdevices 120 within twenty feet of controlling smart device 110.

In another embodiment of the present invention, interface changingprogram 116 may change the displayed graphical user interface 112 fromwhen a user selects an indicator. For example, if graphical userinterface 112 is displaying device remote control app 114A associatedwith controllable device 120A and an indicator is also displayed ongraphical user interface 112 corresponding to controllable device 120Bsince controllable device 120B is within a threshold distance ofcontrollable smart device 110, interface changing program 116 may changegraphical user interface 112 to display device remote control app 114Bassociated with controllable device 120B when the user selects theindicator corresponding to controllable device 120B.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

-   -   (a) On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally        provision computing capabilities, such as server time and        network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human        interaction with the service's provider.    -   (b) Broad network access: capabilities are available over a        network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote        use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g.,        mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).    -   (c) Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are        pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model,        with different physical and virtual resources dynamically        assigned and reassigned according to demand. There is a sense of        location independence in that the consumer generally has no        control or knowledge over the exact location of the provided        resources but may be able to specify location at a higher level        of abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).    -   (d) Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and        elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly        scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the        consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often        appear to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at        any time.    -   (e) Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and        optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at        some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service        (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user        accounts). Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and        reported providing transparency for both the provider and        consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

-   -   (a) Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the        consumer is to use the provider's applications running on a        cloud infrastructure. The applications are accessible from        various client devices through a thin client interface such as a        web browser (e.g., web-based email). The consumer does not        manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including        network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual        application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited        user-specific application configuration settings.    -   (b) Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the        consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure        consumer-created or acquired applications created using        programming languages and tools supported by the provider. The        consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud        infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems,        or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and        possibly application hosting environment configurations.    -   (c) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided        to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks,        and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is        able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include        operating systems and applications. The consumer does not manage        or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control        over operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and        possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g.,        host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

-   -   (a) Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely        for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a        third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.    -   (b) Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by        several organizations and supports a specific community that has        shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy,        and compliance considerations). It may be managed by the        organizations or a third party and may exist on-premises or        off-premises.    -   (c) Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to        the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an        organization selling cloud services.    -   (d) Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of        two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain        unique entities but are bound together by standardized or        proprietary technology that enables data and application        portability (e.g., cloud bursting for loadbalancing between        clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 3, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 9 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 5, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 4) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 5 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and device controls 96.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature. The presentinvention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge devices. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or device. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles ofthe embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for changing a graphical user interface,the method comprising: identifying, by a computer, one or more devices;determining, by the computer, product information associated with theone or more devices, wherein the product information includes at leastone of a type, a model number, and a brand; determining, by thecomputer, one or more applications associated with the one or moredevices based on the product information, wherein the one or moreapplications allow for operation of the one or more devices; retrieving,by the computer, the one or more applications; determining, by thecomputer, that a user preconfigured portion of the computer is orientedtoward a first device of the one or more devices, wherein the userpreconfigured portion is a side of the computer selected by a userthrough a plurality of interactions with a three-dimensional renderingof the computer in a graphical user interface; and displaying, by thecomputer, a first graphical user interface corresponding to a firstapplication of the one or more applications that allows for operation ofthe first device.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the computer, information detailing a user selection ofthe portion of the computer.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinidentifying the one or more devices includes comparing at least one ofone or more pictures and one or more videos of the one or more deviceswith a database, wherein the database includes at least one of aplurality of pictures of devices and a plurality of videos of devices.4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the first graphical userinterface includes displaying one or more indicators denoting at leastone device of the one or more devices that are within a preconfiguredthreshold distance of the first device.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein identifying the one or more devices includes comparing at leastone of the one or more pictures and the one or more videos with adatabase includes identifying at least a portion of the productinformation through optical character recognition and comparing the atleast a portion of the product information with the database, andwherein the database includes a plurality of product identificationinformation.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising: determining,by the computer, the user has selected an indicator of the one or moreindicators, wherein the indicator is associated with a second devicewithin the one or more devices; displaying, by the computer, a secondgraphical user interface corresponding to a second application of theone or more applications that allows for remote operation of the seconddevice.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more applicationsare retrieved from at least one of an application store and a database.8. A computer system for changing a graphical user interface, thecomputer system comprising: one or more processors, one or morecomputer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangiblestorage medium, and program instructions stored on at least one of theone or more tangible storage medium for execution by at least one of theone or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories,wherein the computer system is capable of performing a methodcomprising: identifying, by a computer, one or more devices;determining, by the computer, product information associated with theone or more devices, wherein the product information includes at leastone of a type, a model number, and a brand; determining, by thecomputer, one or more applications associated with the one or moredevices based on the product information, wherein the one or moreapplications allow for operation of the one or more devices; retrieving,by the computer, the one or more applications; determining, by thecomputer, that a user preconfigured portion of the computer is orientedtoward a first device of the one or more devices, wherein the userpreconfigured portion is a side of the computer selected by a userthrough a plurality of interactions with a three-dimensional renderingof the computer in a graphical user interface; and displaying, by thecomputer, a first graphical user interface corresponding to a firstapplication of the one or more applications that allows for operation ofthe first device.
 9. The computer system of claim 8, further comprising:receiving, by the computer, information detailing a user selection ofthe portion of the computer.
 10. The computer system of claim 8, whereinidentifying the one or more devices includes comparing at least one ofone or more pictures and one or more videos of the one or more deviceswith a database, wherein the database includes at least one of aplurality of pictures of devices and a plurality of videos of devices.11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein displaying the firstgraphical user interface includes displaying one or more indicatorsdenoting at least one device of the one or more devices that are withina preconfigured threshold distance of the first device.
 12. The computersystem of claim 8, wherein identifying the one or more devices includescomparing at least one of the one or more pictures and the one or morevideos with a database includes identifying at least a portion of theproduct information through optical character recognition and comparingthe at least a portion of the product information with the database, andwherein the database includes a plurality of product identificationinformation.
 13. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:determining, by the computer, the user has selected an indicator of theone or more indicators, wherein the indicator is associated with asecond device within the one or more devices; displaying, by thecomputer, a second graphical user interface corresponding to a secondapplication of the one or more applications that allows for remoteoperation of the second device.
 14. The computer system of claim 8,wherein the one or more applications are retrieved from at least one ofan application store and a database.
 15. A computer program product forchanging a graphical user interface, the computer program productcomprising: one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium andprogram instructions stored on at least one of the one or more tangiblestorage medium, the program instructions executable by a processor, theprogram instructions comprising: program instructions to identify, by acomputer, one or more devices; program instructions to determine, by thecomputer, product information associated with the one or more devices,wherein the product information includes at least one of a type, a modelnumber, and a brand; program instructions to determine, by the computer,one or more applications associated with the one or more devices basedon the product information, wherein the one or more applications allowfor operation of the one or more devices; program instructions toretrieve, by the computer, the one or more applications; programinstructions to determine, by the computer, that a user preconfiguredportion of the computer is oriented toward a first device of the one ormore devices, wherein the user preconfigured portion is a side of thecomputer selected by a user through a plurality of interactions with athree-dimensional rendering of the computer in a graphical userinterface; and program instructions to display, by the computer, a firstgraphical user interface corresponding to a first application of the oneor more applications that allows for operation of the first device. 16.The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising: programinstructions to receive, by the computer, information detailing a userselection of the portion of the computer.
 17. The computer programproduct of claim 15, wherein identifying the one or more devicesincludes comparing at least one of one or more pictures and one or morevideos of the one or more devices with a database, wherein the databaseincludes at least one of a plurality of pictures of devices and aplurality of videos of devices.
 18. The computer program product ofclaim 15, wherein displaying the first graphical user interface includesdisplaying one or more indicators denoting at least one device of theone or more devices that are within a preconfigured threshold distanceof the first device.
 19. The computer program product of claim 15,wherein identifying the one or more devices includes comparing at leastone of the one or more pictures and the one or more videos with adatabase includes identifying at least a portion of the productinformation through optical character recognition and comparing the atleast a portion of the product information with the database, andwherein the database includes a plurality of product identificationinformation.
 20. The computer program product of claim 18, furthercomprising: program instructions to determine, by the computer, the userhas selected an indicator of the one or more indicators, wherein theindicator is associated with a second device within the one or moredevices; program instructions to display, by the computer, a secondgraphical user interface corresponding to a second application of theone or more applications that allows for remote operation of the seconddevice.